2015 has been a disappointing season for McLaren Honda.
After ditching the all dominating Mercedes engine in favour of a partnership with Japanese manufacturer Honda, McLaren knew that 2015 was going to be a season where they would take a backward step.
But with two former Formula One World Champions behind the wheel, including Fernando Alonso who had tore up his existing Ferrari contract to re-join McLaren, many had thought that the teams starting point would have been further advanced than it currently is.
In fact neither Alonso or team-mate Jenson Button have secured a point thus far this season, with both reliability and pace issues.
Button has spoken of his belief that the team will struggle to score any points at all within the remaining races in 2015.
Alonso has remained more positive and appears to still be content with the long-term project that he signed a three-year-deal for.
Which is just as well as he reportedly holds no get-out clauses.
However Honda have received backing from an unlikely source, manufacturer rivals Mercedes.
‘They are McLaren-Honda. They can win world championships.’ Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell told the BBC.
‘The way they are going about it, Honda are formidable – in their approach, investment and determination,’ he said.
Honda have 9 tokens to use on the engine for in-season development this year. Last year Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault were not allowed any in-season development on the engine.
From next year Honda will be allowed the same amount of tokens for development as the other engine manufacturers.
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